Apple will switch to randomized serial numbers in early 2021

Apple will switch to randomized serial numbers in early 2021(appleinsider.com)

25 points by bobbybidon 5 years ago | 8 comments

ziml77 5 years ago |

Is the number still serial if it's random?

Jaxkr 5 years ago |

Why? And why only Macs and not iPhones? Is this currently a major privacy issue?

throwaway2048 5 years ago | |

Likely to prevent gleaning of production amounts from serial numbers.

Nextgrid 5 years ago | |

I wonder if it’s to prevent “Hackintosh” machines from connecting to Apple services? Services such as iCloud and iMessage require the machine to have a valid serial, and given the format of them is well-known it’s easy to make a valid serial.

rasz 5 years ago | |

Its a business issue.

mofosyne 5 years ago |

Assuming base 32 and we have 8char initially. That gives us around 32^8 = 1.099e12 of serial numbers. Might be enough for a while.

ksec 5 years ago |

Still not seen any convincing argument as to why this is a good thing.

david-cako 5 years ago | |

Maybe a randomized serial number will allow Apple to sell you a product made in America or Europe without you needing to know the difference. Maybe it also grants Apple greater liberties when negotiating with existing suppliers.

What was the story with Fountain (FC) and Fremont (F) anyway?

https://beetstech.com/blog/decode-meaning-behind-apple-seria...

https://9to5mac.com/2013/01/25/apple-lists-quanta-computer-i...